Water Quality Scientist

You will be responsible for overseeing a number of key regulatory deliverables to the Drinking Water Inspectorate. You will be working with water quality data, understanding trends and patterns, assessing compliance with regulatory standards and any potential risk to consumers, and liaising with public health stakeholders. The role is part of a reactive, fast-paced team focused on ensuring that Thames Water protects public health at all times whilst delivering a wholesome water supply.

What you’ll be doing as a Water Quality Scientist

This is an exciting opportunity for someone seeking a role that will offer recognition and an instant profile within the largest water Company in the UK. This is a varied and interesting role with day-to-day duties including:

• Monitoring and reporting on water quality data and leading investigations into atypical findings.
• Providing technical guidance and support in response to water quality failures and incidents
• Ensuring delivery of regulatory reports to strict deadlines.
• Liaison with health authorities, internal stakeholders, as well as directly with our customers.
• Ensuring monitoring of Water Quality Performance Commitments against external targets.

Base location: Hybrid - Clearwater Court - RG1 8DB. Please note, travel across the Thames Water region may be required.

Working pattern or hours: 36 hours. In addition, you may be required to participate in
a rota for providing out-of-hours technical support on a 1 week in every 6 weeks basis, for which appropriate training will be given.

What you should bring to the role

• Be educated to degree level (or equivalent) in a relevant scientific discipline, with professional registration with a relevant awarding body. (or working towards this status). 
• The successful candidate will need to have a good understanding of the regulatory and operational requirements relating to water quality.
• As you will be working with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders, you will need to be able to maintain a positive and professional approach and be a strong communicator who can build positive relationships with stakeholders across the business.
• Report writing is central to the role, so you must have excellent written communication skills and be able to work in a logical and analytical manner.
• The successful candidate will have good time management skills and be able to prioritise to balance a varied and often reactive workload.
• Be competent in using Microsoft Office software and adept at learning new systems.
• Travel to other sites may be a requirement, so a driving license would be beneficial but not essential.

What’s in it for you?

Thames Water has a wide variety of source waters and treatment processes, and you will have an opportunity to become an expert in the Drinking Water Regulations and work with several subject matter experts.

• Competitive salary from £31,000 to £38,000 per annum, depending on experience.
• Annual Leave: 26 days holiday per year increasing to 30 with the length of service. (plus bank holidays)
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTS and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

Find out more about our benefits and perks

Who are we?

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Learn more about our purpose and values

Working at Thames Water

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy fast-tracked career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.
Whether you’re interested in a role in one of our call centres or science labs, we’re looking for people like you with real passion and a burning desire to make things better.

So, if you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

Our overarching aim is to ensure that Thames Water is a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment process. Our aim is to remove any real or perceived barriers to success, so if you need assistance, we’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Disclaimer: Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.